Just three weeks after it was repossessed by the bank, the historic castle that was the Highland retreat of former Rangers' owner Craig Whyte has been sold.
The first prospective buyers to view it placed an offer within hours of their visit. It was accepted. However they want their identity to remain a secret at present.
It was only on April 17 that the four storey Castle Grant, near Grantown on Spey , was put up for sale with offers over £1.1m being sought. Viewers were known to be coming from America while there was also considerable interest in London and the south of England. Over 40 brochures had been sent out in the UK.
Kevin Maley of selling agents Strutt & Parker said the buyers did not wish to make any statement or have their names released and added "This has been a very quick sale for a property of this size but it is a fantastic place in a great setting at a very good price indeed."
Castle Grant, was handed over to the Bank of Scotland by earlier this month by Mr Whyte after he had failed to pay the mortgage for two years which led to court action.
He and his then wife Kim bought Castle Grant for £720,000 in 2006 with a 110% mortgage, which carried a monthly repayment charge of £7000-a-month.. However their marriage broke up and she moved out of the castle. The bank launched its civil action to recover their money early in 2013.
Although an imposing building there is no Highland estate to go with Castle Grant. It has only around 35 acres of land comprising mature parkland gardens, a landscaped loch and open views to the hills of Cromdale.
A number of improvements have been made to the castle. However a large part of the property remains undeveloped and and Strutt and Parker made clear in the brochure that significant amount of investment would still be required
The work that has so far been undertaken is mainly on the ground and first floors and they include a cinema room, ballroom, four bedrooms, billiard room, library and kitchen.
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